hidden a large bag
of silver in the ground, all in one place, and we have sworn that he who
tells the secret shall lose his share. Now, by the Prophet,
'Eye-of-the-Moon' (this was one of the names which Bones had earned,
for which his monocle was responsible), I cannot do this thing."

"How large was this bag, Bosambo?" asked Bones, nibbling the end of his
pencil.

"Lord, it was so large," said Bosambo.

He moved his hands outward slowly, keeping his eyes fixed upon
Lieutenant Tibbetts till he read in them a hint of pain and dismay. Then
he stopped.

"So large," he said, choosing the dimensions his hands had indicated
before Bones showed signs of alarm. "Lord, in the bag was silver worth a
hundred English pounds."

Bones, continuing his meal of cedar-wood, thought the matter out.

It was worth it.

"Is it a large city?" he asked suddenly.

"Larger than the whole of the Ochori," answered Bosambo impressively.

"And tell me this, Bosambo, what manner of houses are these which stand
in the city of the N'bosini?"

"Larger than kings' huts," said Bosambo.

"Of stone?"

"Lord, of rock, so that they are like mountains," replied Bosambo.

Bones shut his book and got up.

"This day I go back to M'ilitani, carrying word of the N'bosini," said
he, and Bosambo's jaw dropped, though Bones did not notice the fact.

"Presently I will return, bringing with me silver of the value of a
hundred English pounds, and you shall lead us to this strange city."

"Lord, it is a far way," faltered Bosambo, "across many swamps and over
high mountains; also there is much sickness and death, wild beasts in
the forests and snakes in the trees and terrible storms of rain."

"Nevertheless, I will go," said Bones, in high spirits, "I, and you
also."

"Master," said the agitated Bosambo, "say no word of this to M'ilitani;
if you do, be sure that my enemies will discover it and I shall be
killed."

Bones hesitated and Bosambo pushed his advantage.

"Rather, lord," said he, "give me all the silver you have and let me go
alone, carrying a message to the mighty chief of the N'bosini. Presently
I will return, bringing with me strange news, such as no white lord, not
even Sandi, has received or heard, and cunning weapons which only
N'bosini use and strange magics. Also will I bring you stories of their
river, but I will go alone, though I die, for what am I that I should
deny myself from the service of your lordship?"

It happened th